From Davos, Christopher Aleo calls for a new development model for Africa

The iSwiss Pay CEO links finance innovation, renewable energy and long-term investment at the World Economic Forum.

From the stage of the World Economic Forum, Christopher Aleo delivered a message that resonated far beyond the Alpine resort and spoke directly to Africa’s economic future. A banker, entrepreneur and CEO of iSwiss Pay, Aleo used his intervention to frame a development strategy built on three interconnected pillars: innovative finance, renewable energy and long-term investment across African markets.

Addressing an audience of political leaders, institutional investors and global media, Aleo challenged long-standing perceptions of the continent. Africa, he argued, should no longer be viewed as the periphery of the global economy, but as one of its emerging centres of gravity. “The issue is not the lack of resources,” he said, “but the direction of capital.” In a world awash with liquidity, Aleo warned, too much investment remains focused on short-term returns, leaving structural development underfinanced.

At the heart of his message was the role of modern banking and fintech. According to Aleo, financial innovation must go beyond speed and efficiency to become an enabling infrastructure for real economic growth. Digital financial platforms, he noted, can lower barriers to capital, improve transparency and connect African entrepreneurs and businesses more directly to global financial flows. In this sense, fintech is not an end in itself, but a tool to integrate local economies into the international system.

Energy was the second major theme of Aleo’s address. He stressed that without reliable and sustainable power, industrialisation and job creation are impossible. Renewable energy, in particular, represents a historic opportunity for Africa: not only as a response to climate imperatives, but as a foundation for long-term economic stability. “Investing in solar, wind and energy infrastructure in Africa is not charity,”

Aleo said. “It is smart, forward-looking capitalism.” Such investments, he argued, can generate financial returns while simultaneously creating employment, strengthening social cohesion and reducing dependence on imported energy.

Aleo’s remarks placed Africa’s demographic and economic potential at the centre of the global growth narrative. With the youngest population in the world and vast unmet demand for infrastructure, the continent offers what he described as “the most significant structural investment opportunity of the 21st century.” Unlocking that potential, however, requires coordination between African governments, international financial institutions and private investors, underpinned by clear rules and long-term policy stability. “Global capital follows trust and clarity,” he told the audience.

For African delegates and observers in Davos, Aleo’s intervention stood out for its pragmatic tone. Rather than focusing on aid or abstract commitments, his speech emphasised bankable projects, patient capital and partnerships that align profit with impact. It also reflected a broader shift in global finance, where Africa is increasingly seen not as a risk to be managed, but as a growth engine to be developed.

As debates at Davos continue to focus on the future of the global economy, Aleo’s contribution highlighted a growing consensus: Africa’s development is no longer a regional issue, but a global one. By linking finance, renewable energy and investment into a single strategic framework, his remarks offered a clear signal that the continent’s next phase of growth will be shaped not only by policy, but by the choices of global capital.

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